I'm not the only place to stay but I'm one of the best places you'll find - especially when you look at all the whole picture!
There are more options than listed here - but that will require you doing your own research.
All of my distances and time estimates are from Google Maps.
This site has a menu!
Look for it - many jewels are to be discovered!
When shopping around, for places to stay near the trailhead, keep these things in mind
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
My place is close to many things - useful things!
0.65 miles, walking, from the train station
1 mile, from Aspen Grove (dining, entertainment, and shopping)
2 miles from 2 grocery stores and more dining, shopping options (even medical services)
9.6 miles from the Waterton Canyon Trailhead
I've hosted one CT hiker who rode his bike, from my house to the CT (and I rode with him, on my ebike, to Lenny's Bench)
My place is close to many fun things!
0.5 miles from the Highline Canal Trail (wonderful, tree-lined, packed-gravel trail for walking/running/biking)
1.25 miles, walking, from the South Platte River (with more trails, for walking/running/biking)
Most "Other" options are in industrial parks or along busy, noisy highways
VALUE
My couch costs substantially less than most options; or the same price, for the private bedrooms
Don't forget, I have 2, private bedrooms listed on AirBnB, too
The only "extra" cost is walking about 15 minutes, from the train station to my house
CT Trail Angels come to my location, for rides to the trailhead - just walk to the end of my building!
NO-STRESS, ALL-IN-ONE
If you stay with me, your Colorado-itinerary could be this simple:
There are two motels, relatively close to the Downtown Littleton RTD train station
NOTE: It's a 0.65 mile walk, from the Littleton-Mineral Station to my house
Evergreen Motel (south of Bowles & Santa Fe)
5810 S Santa Fe Dr, Littleton, CO 80120
No website, just the Google Maps info
See other's reviews but it's right up against Santa Fe (busy highway)
0.5 mile walk, from RTD Downtown Littleton Station
Essex House Motel (southeast of Prince & Santa Fe)
5390 S Santa Fe Dr, Littleton, CO 80120
No website, just the Google Maps info
See other's reviews but it's right up against Santa Fe (busy highway)
imho, this place is a bit sketchy and I've heard they have a cancellation policy of "10-minutes after check-in"
i.e. you walk in the room, get grossed out, and want to cancel
0.6 mile walk, from RTD Downtown Littleton Station
WoodSpring Suites Littleton-South Denver (northeast of Prince & Santa Fe)
5260 S Santa Fe Dr, Littleton, CO 80120
See other's reviews but it's right up against Santa Fe (busy highway)
0.7 mile walk, from RTD Downtown Littleton Station
Walking distance to "Toast" and other restaurants (on west side of Santa Fe Rd and the South Platte River)
Southwest corner of McClellan Reservoir (I'm at the northwest corner of the reservoir)
All of these are a minimum 1.5 mile walk from the RTD Train Station "Littleton-Mineral Station", going south on Santa Fe (on the shoulder of a busy highway!)
NOTE: The north side of County Line Rd is "Littleton" and the south side of County Line Rd is "Highlands Ranch"
North side of County Line Rd
South side of Country Line Rd
Looks and location are deceiving
"CLOSE" BUT NO CIGAR
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Denver Southwest/Littleton
10902 W Toller Dr, Littleton, CO 80127
Technically, TownePlace Suites is "closer" to the trailhead, than my place - with several catches
"TPS" is not near public transit
You MUST use a rideshare service, to GET to TownePlace Suites
There are NO train or bus services available
Not sure if Trail Shuttlers give rides to hotels, from the RTD Littleton-Mineral Statsion
Usually, it's just rides to the trailhead
Add this cost, which I have no idea what it would be ($10-$20?) - plus the added time/stress/inconvenience
"TPS" is still 7.3 miles from the Waterton trailhead, on foot trails, and 6.5 miles, by car (roughly 9 minutes)
My place is 2.3 miles (6 minutes) "farther", big whoop!
"TPS" is isolated in an industrial park
You're just south of a busy highway that cuts you off from anything useful or enjoyable
Your pre-departure evening will kind of suck
Hostels can be a fine option, which costs more and is farther away from the trailhead, but it's in downtown (which is good and bad, lol!)
Your pre-departure evening may be quite fun-filled, given the location!
Availability may be an issue.
NICE - FOR A PRICE
http://www.11thavenuehostel.com/
1.5-mile walk, from Union Station to the hostel
2-mile walk, from Union Station to the hostel
Things to Consider
Add 35-60 extra minutes, plus extra stress, to your wake/start time, on the day you depart for the trailhead
Option 1: 21.5 miles, by car, to the trailhead
I have no clue what rideshare rates are, for this route and in the early-morning hours (early-starts are gonna cost extra)
There may be Trail Shuttlers available, for free - but check, first
Option 2: 55 minutes (minimum), by train, to Littleton-Mineral Station (roughly $5.25)
Always check the train's availability - some routes get delayed or shut down (re-routed by bus), for repairs
Plus car ride to trailhead, from here (roughly $20) - 9 miles (13 minutes)
Just search in Google Maps for "Hotels near Waterton Canyon"
Other than the ones I've listed, most will be farther away from Waterton Canyon and none are near a train station
Some may be "close" to a bus station - be sure to check yourself and note the time it will take to get to the hotel.
There are a few places, near C-470 and W. Ken Caryl Ave... BUT
Only limited bus service available, to get to walking distance of the hotels
You're about 9 miles from the Waterton trailhead
NOTE: My house is 9.6 miles from Waterton Canyon and walking distance from the Littleton-Mineral train station, as well as Aspen Grove.